The Reign of the Vedic Gods (The Galaxy of Hindu Gods Book 1)

The Reign of the Vedic Gods (The Galaxy of Hindu Gods Book 1) by Swami Achuthananda is a veritable endless source of information about the Hindu religion and Hindu gods and goddesses. This is the first in what is to be a multi volume series, as the author states that he simply cannot fit all of the information into one volume, it would simply be too thick. Achuthananda approaches the subject with a touch of humor, which helps in keeping the dissemination of information from being overwhelming. There is a lot here to digest, but the author makes it fairly easy and entertaining. He also is clear that the gods of Indian mythology, were in fact, quite imperfect, which makes them all the more appealing. This is a great reference book that outlines the lives of Hindu gods and Indian history for novices and experts alike. Highly recommend for an immersive read, and an entertaining one at that.

This is a guide to the first of many demigods of the Hindu religion. The book is written in a short easy to follow pace that breaks down the stories that have been told for many years about the demigods. The author has taken just the right amount of information to educate the reader but not overwhelm you with tons of information. I found the book to be informative and easy to follow. I would recommend this as a guide for anyone interested in learning about the Hindu religion and what it means. Interesting read for all those who like to learn about new things.

I have long been intrigued with learning about the mythologies of as many cultures as I can, unsurprisingly this has led to some in-depth knowledge of the Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse Gods. So I was super excited by the prospect of getting to delve deeper into the Hindu gods. I really appreciated the research and passion that went into this project that is visible on every page. The book is written in a witty, conversational, and well-informed voice that takes you through the ins and outs of the Vedic Gods. Author Swami Achuthananda takes you on a journey of learning that balances bigger ideas and brief histories with in-depth understanding. I not only really enjoyed this book but I found that I learned a great deal throughout reading this book. The images used in this book are also a great way of adding understanding of the subject. If you want to learn more about this topic, I would definitely recommend reading this book.

Author Swami Achuthananda loves India passionately but lives outside of it. He is a born Hindu, lived more than two decades in India, and is an exponent of Indian Classical (Carnatic) music and a former student of K.J. Jesudas, India's award-winning playback singer. He appreciates Indian classical music as well as western songs.Quite simply stated this is a reference book about Hindu gods and goddesses – the first volume of what Swami promises will be an ongoing series. Much of the joy of reading this well scribed resource book is the warm humor that permeates the description of his topic – ‘You will be surprised to learn that Hindu gods and goddesses are not paragons of perfection. In fact the notion of god is often challenged. Krishna spent his childhood as a world-famous butter thief and his adolescence as a romantic lover before he became a spiritual advisor who dispensed timeless wisdom. If you are a puritan, the deeds of Shiva will embarrass you to no end, just as his feats will inspire you and leave you in awe. You will find many unsavory characters, some with extensive criminal histories. Polygamy was rampant in those times, and deceit and treachery were the order of the day. But that’s only when you view a 5000-year-old mythology from a 21st century vantage point. The gods and goddesses are perfect only in their spheres of activity. Outside their spheres they make mistakes just like you and me, and are punished, leading them to change their behavior and correct their ways…. These stories have everything—romance, magic, action, maithuna (sex), weirdness, and unforgettable characters. Yet these are not merely tales of courage and bravery but lessons about our culture, heritage, and history.’Swami opens with a wonderfully rounded description of the god Genesha and continues through thirty eight chapters introducing the gods and goddesses of India. As his synopsis states, ‘Hindu mythology is often compared to a bottomless ocean that cannot be navigated. The sheer number of gods and goddesses can be overwhelming. But it need not be that way. As Tagore, India’s Nobel Prize winning author, put it, “You cannot cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the waters.” In fact Tagore and Gandhi and Vivekananda were merely ordinary people energized by the tales of Indian mythology. In this multi-volume series, Swami Achuthananda takes you on an extended journey—without getting wet—to meet with the gods and share their tales with you. These gods shared a peculiar trait: they were imperfect. Among the swarm of gods, the most ancient are the Vedic gods which include luminaries like Indra, Surya, Varuna, Agni, and others. Today a minor deity, Indra was once the ruler of the three worlds who, under the influence of a mysterious power drink, fought with the demons and vanquished them. His reign did not last long. His comrades Surya and Varuna also had their glory days but were overthrown by other gods of the pantheon. Yet, after thousands of years, gods like Indra, Surya, and Varuna are still household names and honored in Hindu rituals and traditions. If you know little or nothing about Hindu mythology, this is your ideal starting point where you will meet the overwhelming array of Hindu gods and learn about their wonderful stories.Rarely has a book about Hindu gods been as thorough as well as immensely entertaining as this fine book. Swami is both an expert on Hindu culture and a marvelous story weaver. And this book embraces history, is peppered with fine illustrations, and references and tongue in cheek sidebars about the strangest of the gods. It is a delight and immensely entertaining as well as more than likely the finest resource of the galaxy of the Hindu gods! Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, June 18

I really enjoy this book on several levels. First, I am an English teacher and feel that this is a great text to use excerpts from when teaching world literature. It's not overly complicated but gives great insight into foundational texts from different cultures. Second, I am a Christian but am very interested in learning about other religions and cultures so that I can be informed and not ignorant when having a conversation. Aside from that, I like how each section ends with a quote, and the footnotes at the end of each chapter are helpful.

If you’re a newbie to the world of Hinduism and Hindu Gods and would like to start with the basics, then this is a good resource for you. For those looking to research in-depth into the subject, not so much. The writing is simple and it makes for a quick easy read.

what a great book, such an interesting book on the various Gods & Goddesses in Hinduism, a brilliant read, 10/10 for me

A simple opening into Hindu mythology.This is a field I’ve been really interested in for a while now but I often find myself feeling overwhelmed or getting swamped by the number of different gods and teachings that there are.In this books, tales are shared of each God, the teachings they taught and the lives they lived.Laid out in an easy to read and written in an easily understandable way this is a great introduction to a deep field of study.For me, someone who's just started to learn about Hindu mythology, this was absolutely perfect.Thank you for sharing such wisdom and truth.If you’d like to learn about this kind of mythology I’d highly recommend this book as a starting point.

This book contains the tales, legacies, and knowledge of the Hindu gods. Now, usually, I get completely lost when reading books like this as my brain is often overloaded with information. However, Swami Achuthananda is a truly gifted writer. He has written this book in a way that is knowledgeable and slightly witty way that is easily understood. His writing style has made this book memorable for me. The Reign Of The Vedic Gods is a book that is perfect for those seeking more information on the Hindu gods especially those who have little knowledge of Hindu religion.

I loved this book! I have always wanted to learn more about the Vedic Gods in the Hindu world and this book manages to lovingly describe all of them in great detail.It manages to teach as much as possible without overloading you with information yet still keeping you amused.I was entertained and thoroughly enjoyed the journey through the Vedic Age.Author Swami Achuthananda's love of India and its history is beautifully open and engaging, I learned so much from this book and have already recommended it to friends who have both travelled in India and haven't yet visited.I look forward to visiting their wonderful country armed with the knowledge given in this book.